Lower Inequality Research Articles

Does Income Inequality Harm Green Growth? The BRICS Experience.

Green growth plays a vital role in ensuring sustainable development. Managing economic growth without disrupting the environment is considered the need of the present time. Therefore, the empirics have turned their attention toward finding the determinants of green growth. Hence, we aim to investigate the impact of income inequality on green growth in BRICS economies from 1993 to 2020. Findings of the panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model confirm that the long-run estimate attached to GINI is negatively significant, implying that higher inequality in the BRICS economies lowers the rate of green growth. The country-wise results highlighted the negative impact of GINI on green growth in India and China only and insignificant in other countries. In the short run, the estimates are inconclusive and mixed, be it group-wise or individual estimates. Our findings imply that the target of lower inequality and environmental sustainability can be achieved simultaneously.

Identifying nonconformities in contributions to programming projects: from an engagement perspective in improving code quality

ABSTRACT Project-based learning is among the most common learning approaches aimed at conveying professional standards and best practices to students in programming courses. However, team projects commonly impose problems related to responsibility sharing, such as low effort or inequality in contributions. This paper presents a collaborative programming assessment system featuring a code quality assessment function with specific metrics to measure individual contributions. Student engagement data is used to detect nonconformities in collaboration using a learning analytical approach. Latent profile analysis was used to detect four theoretical team profiles differentiated by team effort (2 levels) and within-team collaboration (2 levels). We demonstrated the efficacy of assessing code to evaluate team dynamics and student behaviour, wherein efforts to resolve coding style failures can be used as a proxy by which to estimate the taskwork awareness of team members. Submission data from 146 students in 41 web-programming projects revealed four behavioural patterns that could potentially hinder the effective functioning of programming teams: free-riding, social loafing, the bystander effect, and lone wolves. We also demonstrated the applicability of automated programming assessment systems to the monitoring of learning progress, thereby facilitating timely interventions to correct difficulties at the team level.

Inequality trends in the distribution of healthcare human resources in eastern Iran

Background Inequitable distribution of human resources in healthcare is one of the main obstacles to improve any health system. This study aimed to evaluate inequalities in the distribution of human resources in healthcare in South Khorasan Province, Iran. Methods We have investigated three types of health staff (i.e. nurses, general practitioners, and specialists) from 2013 to 2018. Data were collected from the annual reports of the Statistical Centre of Iran. The Gini coefficient and time trend regression were applied to measure the inequality. Results The distribution of specialists and general practitioners were the highest and lowest inequality, respectively. Inequalities in the distribution of nurses and specialists have decreased from 2013 to 2018, while the Gini coefficients of the general practitioners have increased from 0.31 to 0.38. According to the regression analysis, inequality in the distribution of nurses and specialists was decreasing over the time; however, the decline was only significant for specialists. While the coefficient B for general practitioners is positive, this indicates raised inequality, but the observed increase was not significant. Conclusions This study revealed that Iran, similar to several other low- and middle-income countries, is with faced the challenge of inequitable distribution of human resources in healthcare, which in turn indicates the necessity of reforms at national and regional levels to address inequalities in the distribution of healthcare human resources, particularly in South Khorasan Province. Hence, the main policy recommendation is to focus on continuous monitoring and evaluation of resource allocation in South Khorasan Province to reduce inequalities.

Analisis distribusi pendapatan transporter online di Kota Jambi (studi kasus pengemudi gojek)

The first purpose determines the social and economic characteristics of Gojek drivers in Jambi City and the income distribution of Gojek drivers in Jambi City. The data analysis method used in this research is the quantitative method. Types of data, namely primary data and secondary data. Data collection techniques through interviews and questionnaires. The data that has been collected is processed by quantitative analysis and Gini Ratio, which is then presented in the form of descriptive analysis. Based on the results of the research, the social and economic characteristics of Gojek drivers in the city of Jambi include gender, age, education, marital status, number of dependents, working hours, work experience, work status, number of passengers, and income of Gojek drivers for one month. Gojek Driver's income distribution in Jambi City is low inequality. The results of the Gini analysis of the Gojek Driver's income ratio show the number 0.14. Meanwhile, the Lorenz curve shows that it is located not far from the diagonal or equalization line.

PNAB 2017 and the number of community health agents in primary care in Brazil.

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of the 2017 Basic Primary Care Policy (PNAB) on the number of community health agents per primary health care team.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study using data available on the Ministry of Health platform called e-Gestor da Atenção Básica, about Brazil's 5,570 towns between October 2017 and December 2019. The survival of the number of towns that did not reduce the number of community health agents was analyzed according to region of the country, the Human Development Index (HDI), the Gini Inequality Index and population size. Cox regression was used to analyze the factors associated with a reduction in the number of CHAs after one month and, from then on, every three months until two years had passed since the publication of the 2017 PNAB Ordinance, considering p < 0.05.CONCLUSIONS:After two years, the greatest reduction was observed in towns in the Midwest and South regions, which presented a high HDI, lower inequality and larger populations. Towns in the Midwest (HR = 1.256) had a higher chance of reducing the number of CHAs compared to the North region. Towns with a higher HDI (HR = 1.053) and larger population size (HR = 1.186) were also more likely to reduc the number of community health agents. Therefore, after the 2017 PNA, the number of towns reducing the amount of community health workers in primary health care increased over the months

Wealth of children from single-parent families: Low levels and high inequality in Germany

Families’ economic wealth is a resource that can provide children with crucial advantages early in their lives. Prior research identified substantial variation of wealth levels between different family types with children from single-parent families being most disadvantaged. The causes of this disadvantage, how much the disadvantage varies between children and how the non-resident parents’ wealth may potentially reduce the disadvantage remain unclear. To address these research gaps, we use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (2002–17) to examine the level of and inequality in wealth for children from single-parent families using recentred influence function regression and decomposition analysis. We replicate earlier findings of a large wealth disadvantage for children in single-parent families. We find that the wealth disadvantage can be mainly explained with compositional differences in household income and employment characteristics. Beyond level differences, inequality between children from single-parent families is higher than for other family types and this inequality can only partly be explained by observed demographic and socio-economic characteristics. When considering the wealth of non-resident parents, the wealth disadvantage of children in single-parent families is reduced but remains substantial. JEL-codes: D31, D1, J1

Seattle's local minimum wage and earnings inequality

AbstractDuring the past 6 years, a wave of local minimum wage laws passed in the United States with policymakers and advocates framing the policy as a means of reducing income inequality. This report evaluates whether one of the first of these efforts, Seattle's $15 minimum wage ordinance, lowered inequality of earnings of workers in the city. I find that inequality among workers who earned less than the city's median wage was modestly reduced, yet overall earnings inequality substantially increased during the period in which the ordinance was phased in, likely for reasons unrelated to the minimum wage law.

P066 Orthopedic complications of osteogenesis imperfecta

Abstract Background Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an inherited connective tissue disorder including various skeletal manifestations. Bone fragility, vertebral body malformation and length lower limbs inequality are often responsible for orthopedic complications. The aim of our study was to determine orthopedic complications of OI and to specify management modalities in rheumatology. Methods We conduct a retrospective study based on the files of children referred to the rheumatology departement over the last 15 years, for treatment of OI. The evaluation was clinical and radiological. Clinical examination included joint and spine assessment. An X-ray of the spine and painful joints associated with a quantitative densitometry were requested. Results Five patients were collected, their mean age was 9 years. All patients had peripheral fracture. Joint assessment revealed a flessum of the elbow and a reduction of the motion of hip in 40% of cases. Scoliosis was noted also in 40% of cases. The average of spine Z –score was -3, 4. All children had benefited from oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation associated with cyclic intravenous bisphosphonates and an adapted rehabilitation protocol. Surgical management was often needed in 2 cases. Discussion and Conclusion Orthopedic complications during OI are essentially the consequence of lower bone mineral density which would cause peripheral or vertebral fracture. Indeed, some other factors like length inequality, pelvic obliquity, ligamentous laxity and inter-vertebral disc abnormalities could be involved in scoliotic progression. The management of these skeletal complications must be early and multidisciplinary in order to improve the prognosis and the quality of life of the patient

Impact of a National Multicentric Strategy to Support Kidney Transplant Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America: FUTAC Team Creation and Activities.

Impact of a National Multicentric Strategy to Support Kidney Transplant Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America: FUTAC Team Creation and Activities.

Early-life maternal attachment and risky health behaviours in adolescence: findings from the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study

BackgroundEarly uptake of multiple risky behaviours during adolescence, such as substance use, antisocial and sexual behaviours, can lead to poor health outcomes without timely interventions. This study investigated how early-life maternal attachment, or emotional bonds between mothers and infants, influenced later risky behaviours in adolescence alongside other potential explanatory pathways using the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study.MethodsTotal maternal attachment scores measured at 9 months using the Condon (1998) Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale compared higher and lower attachment, where mothers in the lowest 10th percentile represented lower attachment. Multiple risky behaviours, defined as two or more risky behaviours (including smoking cigarettes, vaping, alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, antisocial behaviour, criminal engagement, unsafe sex, and gambling), were scored from 0 to 8 at age 17. Five multivariate logistic regression models examined associations between maternal attachment and multiple risky behaviours among Millennium Cohort Study members (n = 7796). Mediation analysis sequentially adjusted for blocks of explanatory mechanisms, including low attachment mechanisms (multiple births, infant prematurity, sex, breastfeeding, unplanned pregnancy and maternal age at birth), maternal depression, and social inequalities (single-parent status, socioeconomic circumstance by maternal education and household income) at 9 months and poor adolescent mental health at 14 years.ResultsChildren of mothers with lower maternal attachment at 9 months had 23% increased odds of multiple risky behaviours at 17 years (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00–1.50) in the unadjusted baseline model. All five explanatory blocks attenuated baseline odds. Low attachment mechanisms attenuated 13%, social inequalities 17%, and poor mental health 17%. Maternal depression attenuated the highest proportion (26%) after fully adjusting for all factors (30%).ConclusionsLower maternal attachment in early life predicted increased adolescent multiple risky behaviours. Almost a third of the excess risk was attributable to child, maternal and socioeconomic factors, with over a quarter explained by maternal depression. Recognising the influence of early-life risk factors on adolescent health could innovate current policies and interventions addressing multiple risky behaviour uptake affecting health inequalities across the life course.

The impact of economic inequality on conspiracy beliefs

Previous literature highlights the crucial role of economic inequality in triggering a range of negative societal outcomes. However, the relationship between economic inequality and the proliferation of conspiracy beliefs remains unexplored. Here, we explore the endorsement of conspiracy beliefs as an outcome of objective country-level (Study 1a, 1b, 1c), perceived (Study 2), and manipulated economic inequality (Studies 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b). In the correlational studies, both objective and perceived economic inequality were associated with greater conspiracy beliefs. In the experiments, participants in the high (compared to the low) inequality condition were more likely to endorse conspiratorial narratives. This effect was fully mediated by anomie (Studies 3a, 3b) suggesting that inequality enhances the perception that society is breaking down (anomie), which in turn increases conspiratorial thinking, possibly in an attempt to regain some sense of order and control. Furthermore, the link between economic inequality and conspiracy beliefs was stronger when participants endorsed a conspiracy worldview (Studies 4a, 4b). Moreover, conspiracy beliefs mediated the effect of the economic inequality manipulation on willingness to engage in collective action aimed at addressing economic inequality. The results show that economic inequality and conspiracy beliefs go hand in hand: economic inequality can cause conspiratorial thinking and conspiracy beliefs can motivate collective action against economic inequality.

How economic inequality shapes social class stereotyping

Two pre-registered experiments (Total N = 822) explored the effect of economic inequality on social class stereotyping and the social mechanisms driving this relationship. In both experiments, participants were randomly assigned to a fictitious society with high or low levels of inequality and rated a wealthy and a poor individual on Vertical (i.e., assertiveness and competence) and Horizontal stereotype dimensions (i.e., friendliness and morality). We found that higher (versus lower) inequality caused both social classes to be perceived as more incompetent, immoral, and unfriendly, and the poor to be perceived as more unassertive. Moreover, we found that high (versus low) inequality caused stereotypes of the wealthy and poor to be more different on unique dimensions (i.e., in relation to the poor, the wealthy were stereotyped as more assertive, but also more unfriendly and immoral). Importantly, inequality affected the stereotype dimensions through distinct mechanisms. We found evidence of class-based categorization mediating the effect of inequality and social class stereotypes on the Vertical dimension, and evidence of negative intergroup relations (i.e., increased competition and reduced trust) explaining stereotypes on the Horizontal dimension. Further, we found that social class stereotypes influenced support for redistributive wealth policies. Our work contributes to the literature by identifying the mechanisms through which inequality affects perceptions of the social classes.

Burden of disease induced by public overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (SUVR) at the national and subnational levels in Iran, 2005–2019

Estimating the burden of diseases induced by overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (SUVR) can help to prioritize environmental health interventions. The age-sex specific and cause-specific mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to overexposure to SUVR at the national and subnational levels in Iran, 2005–2019 were estimated. The burden of disease induced by overexposure to SUVR was quantified in four steps as follows: (1) estimating exposure to SUVR, (2) estimating total incidences and deaths of target causes, (3) assessing population attributable fractions of the target causes for the SUVR, and (4) calculating the attributable burden of disease. The attributable DALYs, deaths, age-standardized DALY rate, and age-standardized death rate at the national level were determined to be respectively 21896, 252, 42.59, and 0.56 in 2005 and were respectively changed to 28665, 377, 38.76, and 0.53 in 2019. The contributions of causes in the attributable DALYs at the national level were different by year and sex and for both sexes in 2019 were as follows: 46.15% for cataract, 20.36% for malignant skin melanoma, 16.07% for sunburn, 12.41% for squamous-cell carcinoma, and 5.01% for the other five causes. The contributions of population growth, population ageing, risk exposure, and risk-deleted DALY rate in the temporal variations of the attributable burden of disease in the country were +20.73%, +20.68%, +2.01%, and −12.51%. The highest and lowest provincial attributable age-standardized DALY rates in 2019 were observed in Fars (46.8) and Ardebil (32.7), respectively. The burden of disease induced by exposure to SUVR caused relatively low geographical inequality in health status in Iran. Due to increasing trends of the SUVR as well as the attributable burden of disease, the preventive interventions against the SUVR overexposure should be considered in the public health action plan all across the country.

Regional Disparity of Reperfusion Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Japan: A Retrospective Analysis of Nationwide Claims Data from 2010 to 2015.

BackgroundWe aimed to determine whether a regional disparity exists in usage of reperfusion therapy (intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [IV rt‐PA] and endovascular thrombectomy [EVT]) and post‐reperfusion 30‐day mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and which regional factors are associated with their usage.Methods and ResultsWe retrospectively investigated 69 948 patients (mean age±SD, 74.9±12.0 years; women, 41.4%) with acute ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapy between April 2010 and March 2016 in Japan using nationwide claims data. Regional disparity was evaluated using Gini coefficients for age‐ and sex‐adjusted usage of reperfusion therapy and 30‐day post‐reperfusion in‐hospital death ratio in 47 administrative regions. The association between regional factors and reperfusion therapy usage was evaluated with fixed‐effects regression models. During the study period, Gini coefficients showed low inequality (0.11–0.15) for use of IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT and extreme inequality (0.49) for EVT usage in 2010, which became moderate inequality (0.25) by 2015. The densities of stroke centers and endovascular specialists, as well as market concentration, were associated with increased usage of reperfusion therapy whereas the proportion of rural residents and delayed ambulance transport were negatively associated with usage. Inequality in the standardized death ratio after EVT was extreme (0.86) in 2010 but became moderate (0.29) by 2015; inequality was low to moderate (0.17–0.23) for IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT.ConclusionsScrutinizing existing data sources revealed regional disparity in reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke and its associated regional factors in Japan.

Calculation of retention indices of essential oils with the aid of the Van den Dool and Kratz equation and Bézier curves

The aim of this article is to study the relationships and models among the Van den Dool and Kratz equation, the gas chromatography (GC), and the Bézier curves constructed by aid of the Bernstein polynomials. Another aim of this article is to introduce open problems that contribute to real‐world problems involving mathematics, chemistry, and plant biology, including the Van den Dool and Kratz equation, the GC, and Bézier curves. Searching for the solutions of these problems may have qualities that will create the potential that can enter the field of study of many researchers. As a result of these goals, the usability of Bézier curves was investigated while determining the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from Potentilla aladaghensis Leblebici, by applying the retention index from the Van den Dool and Kratz equation and evaluating chemical compositions of the essential oil are characterized by GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The Van den Dool and Kratz equation results have the potential to be used not only in the chemical compositions of the oils but also in applied mathematics and other fields. Moreover, we construct a new special finite sum. A lower bound and inequality are also given for the finite special sum involving the dead time associated with the isocratic step. Some applications and criticisms are given that include this lower bound and inequality for these sums and its effects on the chemical compositions of essential oil and the Van den Dool and Kratz equation.

Gender inequality is associated with gender differences and women participation in physical activity.

Living standards determine population's physical activity (PA); however, more women are systemically insufficiently active, suggesting social gender inequality factors. Thus, we assessed the association between gender inequality, PA differences between genders, and total PA. We used three independent cross-sectional databases at country-level: PA prevalence (i.e., Active Lifestyle) from the World Health Organization with 1.9 million individuals from 168 countries; daily steps (smartphone registers) of 693 806 people from 46 countries and sport participation in the 2016 Summer Olympics with 11 191 athletes. Gender Inequality Index was used to evaluate aspects surrounding gender equality controlling for overall economic and health status. Higher gender inequality was associated with gender differences in PA (Active Lifestyle, 0.402, P<0.001; Steps, 0.542, P<0.001; Olympic participation, 0.346, P=0.001). Likewise, lower gender inequality was associated with increased women activity (Active Lifestyle, -0.838, P<0.001; Steps, -0.81, P<0.001; Olympic participation, -0.577, P<0.001), and men activity (Active Lifestyle, -0.453, P<0.001; Steps, -0.461, P=0.002). Lower women PA levels could be influenced by gender inequality. Public health policies aimed to improve women living conditions which may promote their participation in PA and sport.

Golfing with Trump. Social capital, decline, inequality, and the rise of populism in the US

Abstract In 2000, Robert Putnam forecast that United States (US) democracy was at risk from the twin challenges of declining civic engagement and rising interpersonal inequality. Sixteen years later, his predictions were vindicated by the election of Donald Trump as president of the US. This paper analyses the extent to which the 2016 election of Donald Trump—and his failed re-election bid in 2020—have been related to levels of social capital and interpersonal inequalities. We posit an alternative: that the rise in votes for Trump has been the result of long-term economic and population decline in areas with strong social capital. This hypothesis is confirmed by the econometric analysis conducted for US counties. Long-term declines in employment and population—rather than in earnings, salaries, or wages—in places with relatively strong social capital propelled Donald Trump to the presidency and almost secured his re-election. By contrast, low social capital and high interpersonal inequality were not connected to a surge in support for Trump. These results are robust to the introduction of control variables and different inequality measures. The analysis also shows that the discontent at the base of the Trump margin is not just a consequence of the 2008 crisis but had been brewing for a long time. Places in the US that remained cohesive but witnessed an enduring decline are no longer bowling alone, they have golfed with Trump and will, in all likelihood, continue to golf with Trumpism or other forms of populism.

The role of public expenditure on secondary and higher education for achieving inclusive growth in India

AbstractWe analyze the role of public expenditures on secondary and higher education for achieving inclusive growth, using a computable general equilibrium model of India. Our policy simulations show that increasing public education expenditure leads to higher growth and lower inequality. Expenditure on secondary education leads to better outcomes compared to equivalent expenditure on higher education. Exogenous technological progress enhances the positive effects of public education spending. The findings of the paper call for policy initiatives to boost spending on secondary education, as well as technological progress, for achieving inclusive growth in India.

Categorical Distinctions and Claims-Making: Opportunity, Agency, and Returns from Wage Negotiations

In this article, we examine wage negotiations as a specific instance of claims-making, predicting that the capacity to make a claim is first a function of the position, rather than the person, and that lower-status actors—women, migrants, fixed-term, part-time, and unskilled workers—are all more likely to be in positions where negotiation is not possible. At the same time, subordinate-status actors may be less likely to make claims even where negotiation is possible, and when they do make wage claims they may receive lower or no returns to negotiation. Analyses of wage negotiations by more than 2,400 German employees largely confirm these theoretical expectations, although the patterns of opportunity, agency, and economic returns vary by categorical status. All low-status actors are more likely to be in jobs where negotiation is not possible. Women, people in lower-class jobs, and people with temporary contracts are less likely to negotiate even when given the opportunity. Regarding returns, agency in wage claims does not seem to improve the wages of women, migrants, or working-class individuals. The advice to “lean-in” will not substantially lower wage inequalities for everyone, although men who lean in do benefit relative to men who do not.

The geography of ethnoracial low birth weight inequalities in the United States

In this article, we describe, decompose, and examine correlates of the geography of ethnoracial inequalities in low birth weight (LBW) in the United States. Drawing on the population of singleton births to U.S.-born White, Black, Latinx, and Native American parents in the first decade of the twenty-first century (N = 28.2 million births), we calculate county-level LBW rates and rate ratios. Results demonstrate a stark racial hierarchy in which Black infants experience the most significant disadvantage, but we also document substantial local-level variation organized in what we call a regionalized patchwork of inequality, with high-disparity counties bordering low-disparity counties coupled with regional clustering. Examining the component parts of local disparities – the LBW rates for Whites and groups of color - we find strong evidence that spatial variation in ethnoracial LBW inequalities is driven by greater variation in infants of color's health across counties relative to Whites. Further, LBW rates for groups of color are only weakly to moderately correlated with Whites' LBW rates, indicating that the same contexts can produce racially divergent health outcomes. Examining contextual factors that predict LBW disparities, we find that more segregated, socioeconomically unequal, and urban counties have larger LBW disparities. We conclude by positing an approach to health disparities that conceptualizes ethnoracial differences in health as fundamentally relational and spatial phenomena produced by systems of White advantage.